CENOTAPH
Died at Madras, India.
--------------------------------------------------
Suggested edit: Captain Henry Bangs
By Ella Matthews Bangs
Captain Henry Bangs was the oldest of the seven children of Joanna (Hall) and John Bangs of South Dennis, where he was born on November 4, 1812. At the age of sixteen his seafaring life began. In 1836 he married Rebecca Howes Matthews of Yarmouth whose five brothers all became sea captains, and a few years later built a house in South Dennis, next that of his father. While living here he was in command of the packet vessel Merrimack, making regular trips between Boston and Philadelphia, and later, as captain of the barque Yarmouth, he sailed for Denmark, visiting Copenhagen and Elsinore. Later he went to Russia with visits at Moscow and St Petersburg (now Leningrad).
Like most of sea captains, he had a keen interest In the public life of his home town, and it was chiefly by his efforts that a pipe organ was purchased, and placed in the Congregational church at South Dennis. The day of its installment was a sort of gala occasion, with a public out-door dinner on Captain Bangs' own premises. Subsequently he removed from South Dennis, buying a place in the town of Ashby in the northern part of the state. From here he made two or three trips to the West Indies and New Orleans, and in August 1861 during the early months of the Civil war he was asked by the owners, Howes and Crowell of Boston, to take the pilot boat, Caleb Curtis, from Boston around Cape Horn to San Francisco.
This trip starting on August 12, 1861, proved to be one of storms, high winds, accidents to the boat, and rugged weather generally. Nearing the equator, fearing a shortage of water, he made the port of St. Catharena Island, off the southern coast of Brazil. Again after "rounding the cape" and being short of water and wood he put in at Valparaiso, on the coast of Chili. Leaving there a few days later he writes that their little boat attracted almost as much attention as if she had been the "Great Eastern". The Caleb Curtis arrived in San Francisco, February 9, 160 sailing days from Boston, including 30 days getting around Cape Horn. At San Francisco he obtained command of the ship Renown of Boston, 1025 tons.
As this was during the early years of the Civil War when privateers were roaming the sea, it was not thought advisable to charter a cargo for the Atlantic seaboard, for this reason the Renown was to sail for Callao, the port of the Chincha Islands, off the coast of Peru. She sailed on March 18, 1862, with a crew of 25. men. On the 19th one of the men, Lawrence Thacher from Yarmouth, fell from the forecastle, and was drowned. The ship was at once brought to the wind, a life buoy and davit thrown near the spot where he was last seen, but all was over. Lawrence Thacher was a younger brother of Captains Edwin and Samuel Thacher of Yarmouth, a promising young man of nineteen, just promoted to third mate.
During the trip to Callao, Captain Bangs began a series of Sunday afternoon or evening services, for the men of his crew. He also gave them Saturday afternoon for a half holiday when they could do their washing and mending, work which otherwise would have to be done on the Sabbath. In writing home he says: "Conditions on board seem almost too good to last. Have not heard an oath since leaving port, and all the men seem peaceable and contented." Arriving at Callao, and finding no place of worship there for the sailors on the Sabbath, he resolved to continue his meetings, and to invite the crews, with their officers, from all the shipping in the harbor, on board his vessel, for divine service on the Sabbath. This he did by hoisting the Bethel Flag, of blue bunting with a huge white letter B in the centre. The result exceeded his anticipations. His audience soon became too large for his commodious cabin, and later the services were held on deck under an awning arranged for the purpose. In appreciation of these services the captains of the other vessels then in port presented him with an harmonium, a small musical instrument made in Liverpool. Captain Bangs was especially fond of music, a singer himself, and playing both the violin and bass viol.
From Callao the Renown sailed for London, and from there to Mauritius, the Isle of France. While here, as is customary in many tropical ports, a carriage, horse, driver and interpreter were placed at the Captain's service. In this way he visited many interesting places, among others being what was claimed to be the tomb of Paul and Virginia, those youthful lovers of long ago. From Mauritius Captain Bangs sailed for Calcutta. While here he was stricken with a light form of cholera. As this developed into more serious form, thinking the sea air might prove beneficial, he ordered the ship out to sea, around the Indian peninsula, to Bombay where medical treatment would be available. This however was not to be, for at Madras on the 25th of October, 1863. while on board the ship Renown, the voyage of Life ended for Captain Bangs he at the comparatively early age of 50 years and 11 months. He was buried in the Protestant cemetery at Washermanpat, Madras, where many another, foreign to the soil, has found a final resting place. (Yarmouth Register, Sept. 14, 1935)
Contributor: GenieQueen (48320172) •
Died at Madras, India.
--------------------------------------------------
Suggested edit: Captain Henry Bangs
By Ella Matthews Bangs
Captain Henry Bangs was the oldest of the seven children of Joanna (Hall) and John Bangs of South Dennis, where he was born on November 4, 1812. At the age of sixteen his seafaring life began. In 1836 he married Rebecca Howes Matthews of Yarmouth whose five brothers all became sea captains, and a few years later built a house in South Dennis, next that of his father. While living here he was in command of the packet vessel Merrimack, making regular trips between Boston and Philadelphia, and later, as captain of the barque Yarmouth, he sailed for Denmark, visiting Copenhagen and Elsinore. Later he went to Russia with visits at Moscow and St Petersburg (now Leningrad).
Like most of sea captains, he had a keen interest In the public life of his home town, and it was chiefly by his efforts that a pipe organ was purchased, and placed in the Congregational church at South Dennis. The day of its installment was a sort of gala occasion, with a public out-door dinner on Captain Bangs' own premises. Subsequently he removed from South Dennis, buying a place in the town of Ashby in the northern part of the state. From here he made two or three trips to the West Indies and New Orleans, and in August 1861 during the early months of the Civil war he was asked by the owners, Howes and Crowell of Boston, to take the pilot boat, Caleb Curtis, from Boston around Cape Horn to San Francisco.
This trip starting on August 12, 1861, proved to be one of storms, high winds, accidents to the boat, and rugged weather generally. Nearing the equator, fearing a shortage of water, he made the port of St. Catharena Island, off the southern coast of Brazil. Again after "rounding the cape" and being short of water and wood he put in at Valparaiso, on the coast of Chili. Leaving there a few days later he writes that their little boat attracted almost as much attention as if she had been the "Great Eastern". The Caleb Curtis arrived in San Francisco, February 9, 160 sailing days from Boston, including 30 days getting around Cape Horn. At San Francisco he obtained command of the ship Renown of Boston, 1025 tons.
As this was during the early years of the Civil War when privateers were roaming the sea, it was not thought advisable to charter a cargo for the Atlantic seaboard, for this reason the Renown was to sail for Callao, the port of the Chincha Islands, off the coast of Peru. She sailed on March 18, 1862, with a crew of 25. men. On the 19th one of the men, Lawrence Thacher from Yarmouth, fell from the forecastle, and was drowned. The ship was at once brought to the wind, a life buoy and davit thrown near the spot where he was last seen, but all was over. Lawrence Thacher was a younger brother of Captains Edwin and Samuel Thacher of Yarmouth, a promising young man of nineteen, just promoted to third mate.
During the trip to Callao, Captain Bangs began a series of Sunday afternoon or evening services, for the men of his crew. He also gave them Saturday afternoon for a half holiday when they could do their washing and mending, work which otherwise would have to be done on the Sabbath. In writing home he says: "Conditions on board seem almost too good to last. Have not heard an oath since leaving port, and all the men seem peaceable and contented." Arriving at Callao, and finding no place of worship there for the sailors on the Sabbath, he resolved to continue his meetings, and to invite the crews, with their officers, from all the shipping in the harbor, on board his vessel, for divine service on the Sabbath. This he did by hoisting the Bethel Flag, of blue bunting with a huge white letter B in the centre. The result exceeded his anticipations. His audience soon became too large for his commodious cabin, and later the services were held on deck under an awning arranged for the purpose. In appreciation of these services the captains of the other vessels then in port presented him with an harmonium, a small musical instrument made in Liverpool. Captain Bangs was especially fond of music, a singer himself, and playing both the violin and bass viol.
From Callao the Renown sailed for London, and from there to Mauritius, the Isle of France. While here, as is customary in many tropical ports, a carriage, horse, driver and interpreter were placed at the Captain's service. In this way he visited many interesting places, among others being what was claimed to be the tomb of Paul and Virginia, those youthful lovers of long ago. From Mauritius Captain Bangs sailed for Calcutta. While here he was stricken with a light form of cholera. As this developed into more serious form, thinking the sea air might prove beneficial, he ordered the ship out to sea, around the Indian peninsula, to Bombay where medical treatment would be available. This however was not to be, for at Madras on the 25th of October, 1863. while on board the ship Renown, the voyage of Life ended for Captain Bangs he at the comparatively early age of 50 years and 11 months. He was buried in the Protestant cemetery at Washermanpat, Madras, where many another, foreign to the soil, has found a final resting place. (Yarmouth Register, Sept. 14, 1935)
Contributor: GenieQueen (48320172) •
CENOTAPH
Died at Madras, India.
--------------------------------------------------
Suggested edit: Captain Henry Bangs
By Ella Matthews Bangs
Captain Henry Bangs was the oldest of the seven children of Joanna (Hall) and John Bangs of South Dennis, where he was born on November 4, 1812. At the age of sixteen his seafaring life began. In 1836 he married Rebecca Howes Matthews of Yarmouth whose five brothers all became sea captains, and a few years later built a house in South Dennis, next that of his father. While living here he was in command of the packet vessel Merrimack, making regular trips between Boston and Philadelphia, and later, as captain of the barque Yarmouth, he sailed for Denmark, visiting Copenhagen and Elsinore. Later he went to Russia with visits at Moscow and St Petersburg (now Leningrad).
Like most of sea captains, he had a keen interest In the public life of his home town, and it was chiefly by his efforts that a pipe organ was purchased, and placed in the Congregational church at South Dennis. The day of its installment was a sort of gala occasion, with a public out-door dinner on Captain Bangs' own premises. Subsequently he removed from South Dennis, buying a place in the town of Ashby in the northern part of the state. From here he made two or three trips to the West Indies and New Orleans, and in August 1861 during the early months of the Civil war he was asked by the owners, Howes and Crowell of Boston, to take the pilot boat, Caleb Curtis, from Boston around Cape Horn to San Francisco.
This trip starting on August 12, 1861, proved to be one of storms, high winds, accidents to the boat, and rugged weather generally. Nearing the equator, fearing a shortage of water, he made the port of St. Catharena Island, off the southern coast of Brazil. Again after "rounding the cape" and being short of water and wood he put in at Valparaiso, on the coast of Chili. Leaving there a few days later he writes that their little boat attracted almost as much attention as if she had been the "Great Eastern". The Caleb Curtis arrived in San Francisco, February 9, 160 sailing days from Boston, including 30 days getting around Cape Horn. At San Francisco he obtained command of the ship Renown of Boston, 1025 tons.
As this was during the early years of the Civil War when privateers were roaming the sea, it was not thought advisable to charter a cargo for the Atlantic seaboard, for this reason the Renown was to sail for Callao, the port of the Chincha Islands, off the coast of Peru. She sailed on March 18, 1862, with a crew of 25. men. On the 19th one of the men, Lawrence Thacher from Yarmouth, fell from the forecastle, and was drowned. The ship was at once brought to the wind, a life buoy and davit thrown near the spot where he was last seen, but all was over. Lawrence Thacher was a younger brother of Captains Edwin and Samuel Thacher of Yarmouth, a promising young man of nineteen, just promoted to third mate.
During the trip to Callao, Captain Bangs began a series of Sunday afternoon or evening services, for the men of his crew. He also gave them Saturday afternoon for a half holiday when they could do their washing and mending, work which otherwise would have to be done on the Sabbath. In writing home he says: "Conditions on board seem almost too good to last. Have not heard an oath since leaving port, and all the men seem peaceable and contented." Arriving at Callao, and finding no place of worship there for the sailors on the Sabbath, he resolved to continue his meetings, and to invite the crews, with their officers, from all the shipping in the harbor, on board his vessel, for divine service on the Sabbath. This he did by hoisting the Bethel Flag, of blue bunting with a huge white letter B in the centre. The result exceeded his anticipations. His audience soon became too large for his commodious cabin, and later the services were held on deck under an awning arranged for the purpose. In appreciation of these services the captains of the other vessels then in port presented him with an harmonium, a small musical instrument made in Liverpool. Captain Bangs was especially fond of music, a singer himself, and playing both the violin and bass viol.
From Callao the Renown sailed for London, and from there to Mauritius, the Isle of France. While here, as is customary in many tropical ports, a carriage, horse, driver and interpreter were placed at the Captain's service. In this way he visited many interesting places, among others being what was claimed to be the tomb of Paul and Virginia, those youthful lovers of long ago. From Mauritius Captain Bangs sailed for Calcutta. While here he was stricken with a light form of cholera. As this developed into more serious form, thinking the sea air might prove beneficial, he ordered the ship out to sea, around the Indian peninsula, to Bombay where medical treatment would be available. This however was not to be, for at Madras on the 25th of October, 1863. while on board the ship Renown, the voyage of Life ended for Captain Bangs he at the comparatively early age of 50 years and 11 months. He was buried in the Protestant cemetery at Washermanpat, Madras, where many another, foreign to the soil, has found a final resting place. (Yarmouth Register, Sept. 14, 1935)
Contributor: GenieQueen (48320172) •
Died at Madras, India.
--------------------------------------------------
Suggested edit: Captain Henry Bangs
By Ella Matthews Bangs
Captain Henry Bangs was the oldest of the seven children of Joanna (Hall) and John Bangs of South Dennis, where he was born on November 4, 1812. At the age of sixteen his seafaring life began. In 1836 he married Rebecca Howes Matthews of Yarmouth whose five brothers all became sea captains, and a few years later built a house in South Dennis, next that of his father. While living here he was in command of the packet vessel Merrimack, making regular trips between Boston and Philadelphia, and later, as captain of the barque Yarmouth, he sailed for Denmark, visiting Copenhagen and Elsinore. Later he went to Russia with visits at Moscow and St Petersburg (now Leningrad).
Like most of sea captains, he had a keen interest In the public life of his home town, and it was chiefly by his efforts that a pipe organ was purchased, and placed in the Congregational church at South Dennis. The day of its installment was a sort of gala occasion, with a public out-door dinner on Captain Bangs' own premises. Subsequently he removed from South Dennis, buying a place in the town of Ashby in the northern part of the state. From here he made two or three trips to the West Indies and New Orleans, and in August 1861 during the early months of the Civil war he was asked by the owners, Howes and Crowell of Boston, to take the pilot boat, Caleb Curtis, from Boston around Cape Horn to San Francisco.
This trip starting on August 12, 1861, proved to be one of storms, high winds, accidents to the boat, and rugged weather generally. Nearing the equator, fearing a shortage of water, he made the port of St. Catharena Island, off the southern coast of Brazil. Again after "rounding the cape" and being short of water and wood he put in at Valparaiso, on the coast of Chili. Leaving there a few days later he writes that their little boat attracted almost as much attention as if she had been the "Great Eastern". The Caleb Curtis arrived in San Francisco, February 9, 160 sailing days from Boston, including 30 days getting around Cape Horn. At San Francisco he obtained command of the ship Renown of Boston, 1025 tons.
As this was during the early years of the Civil War when privateers were roaming the sea, it was not thought advisable to charter a cargo for the Atlantic seaboard, for this reason the Renown was to sail for Callao, the port of the Chincha Islands, off the coast of Peru. She sailed on March 18, 1862, with a crew of 25. men. On the 19th one of the men, Lawrence Thacher from Yarmouth, fell from the forecastle, and was drowned. The ship was at once brought to the wind, a life buoy and davit thrown near the spot where he was last seen, but all was over. Lawrence Thacher was a younger brother of Captains Edwin and Samuel Thacher of Yarmouth, a promising young man of nineteen, just promoted to third mate.
During the trip to Callao, Captain Bangs began a series of Sunday afternoon or evening services, for the men of his crew. He also gave them Saturday afternoon for a half holiday when they could do their washing and mending, work which otherwise would have to be done on the Sabbath. In writing home he says: "Conditions on board seem almost too good to last. Have not heard an oath since leaving port, and all the men seem peaceable and contented." Arriving at Callao, and finding no place of worship there for the sailors on the Sabbath, he resolved to continue his meetings, and to invite the crews, with their officers, from all the shipping in the harbor, on board his vessel, for divine service on the Sabbath. This he did by hoisting the Bethel Flag, of blue bunting with a huge white letter B in the centre. The result exceeded his anticipations. His audience soon became too large for his commodious cabin, and later the services were held on deck under an awning arranged for the purpose. In appreciation of these services the captains of the other vessels then in port presented him with an harmonium, a small musical instrument made in Liverpool. Captain Bangs was especially fond of music, a singer himself, and playing both the violin and bass viol.
From Callao the Renown sailed for London, and from there to Mauritius, the Isle of France. While here, as is customary in many tropical ports, a carriage, horse, driver and interpreter were placed at the Captain's service. In this way he visited many interesting places, among others being what was claimed to be the tomb of Paul and Virginia, those youthful lovers of long ago. From Mauritius Captain Bangs sailed for Calcutta. While here he was stricken with a light form of cholera. As this developed into more serious form, thinking the sea air might prove beneficial, he ordered the ship out to sea, around the Indian peninsula, to Bombay where medical treatment would be available. This however was not to be, for at Madras on the 25th of October, 1863. while on board the ship Renown, the voyage of Life ended for Captain Bangs he at the comparatively early age of 50 years and 11 months. He was buried in the Protestant cemetery at Washermanpat, Madras, where many another, foreign to the soil, has found a final resting place. (Yarmouth Register, Sept. 14, 1935)
Contributor: GenieQueen (48320172) •
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